Turning Passion into Action with Forrestall Consulting

Kind Business #16

Forrestall Consulting is a successful social media marketing firm in Pasadena, CA. Led by Shanna Forrestall, the company has been incredibly successful, producing digital content for major TV networks, from TruTV to the History Channel. Shanna brings a special energy to her work. In all of the content she produces, she works to highlight the humanity in others. Her company has even created projects that work to humanize social media marketing, including her presentation on “Finding the HUMANity in Social Media & Marketing.”

Shanna has made it her mission to make Forrestall Consulting a force for social good.  Most notably, Shanna has involved her company in a number of domestic disaster relief efforts in Southern Louisiana and Texas.  Born and raised in Louisiana, Shanna has a special place in her heart for those affected by natural disasters.

By partnering with organizations like Crowd Relief, the Texas Navy and the Cajun Relief Foundation, Forrestall Consulting has been able to gather supplies, solicit corporate donations, and create films targeted at motivating potential volunteers.  Shanna’s ability to see the humanity in others has allowed her to create moving content from these disaster situations. Her videos have been integral in recruiting on-the-ground volunteers and necessary aid for these disasters.

Between September 2016 and December 2016, Forrestall Consulting raised $150,000 in resources and cash donations to assist flood victims with recovery though Launch Louisiana due to the 2016 floods.  

During a natural disaster, Shanna feels that it’s important to focus on low-income areas first, as the people living in these areas can sadly be the first to be forgotten. Shanna explained to Envision Kindness that she tries to mobilize her team and others to work with special needs individuals, the elderly and veterans when doing her on-the-ground disaster relief efforts.   Shanna also frequently hires her camera crew from Actors for Autism, an organization that works to empower those who are on the autistic spectrum.

On top of their disaster relief efforts, Forrestall Consulting is constantly looking for new projects to get involved in. After taking a trip to Honduras with her father as a young girl, and seeing poverty up close, Shanna has made it a priority to help those in need.  Shanna recently organized a large art sale donation with international artists and she serves as the Glendale Hills Launch charity events coordinator.

Inspired by the work of Forrestall Consulting?  Think about how you can turn your passion into action. You can be the difference you want to see in the world.

Kindness Served One Cup of Coffee at a Time

cup of coffee

Brewed Awakenings is serving community, one cup of coffee at a time. At this warm little coffee shop in Newark, Delaware, people are the focus. The shop is known for hosting residents from all walks of life and making all feel welcome.

As a psychologist, owner and founder J.D. Willetts knows the importance of kindness, conversation, and relationships. When he opened the coffee shop in 2015, he had a strong focus: community. Good coffee is a plus (and trust us, they do have it), but the real focus here is on the friendly space. “…I want to spread the love. I want this to be a place where people are physically, emotionally, spiritually safe,” Willetts said in an interview with Honey Grow. 

Though you will find Willets at the shop most days, he doesn’t keep a dime of the revenue at Brewed Awakenings. Instead, profit is used to help the community. Willets also tries to be free as much as possible so that he can do what he’s best at: talk. He loves to take the time to sit and chat with customers.

One true example of kindness at Brewed Awakenings is their Community Cup program. For $1.50 and a personalized sticky note, customers have the option to pay it forward and prepay for a coffee for someone in need.  And if someone comes in for a sandwich too? No problem – sticky notes can be redeemed for food too.

Love what Brewed Awakenings is doing but aren’t in Newark, DE? The spirit of community can be spread to your hometown. Ask your local coffee shop what they think about starting a community cup program, or go out and buy someone a coffee today.